Nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

A nectarine tree which is medium in size, vigorous, and upright-spreading; foliated with medium size, lanceolate leaves having a crenate to finely serrate margin, a medium length petiole, and medium size, reniform, alternate glands positioned on base of the leaf blade; flowers from hardy, pointed, medium size buds free from the stem and moderately pubescent; the flowers, blooming in medium season, being large, showy, and pink; and is a regular and productive bearer of late in mid-season, uniform, large, broadly ovoid, freestone fruit having yellow skin substantially entirely blushed with a waxy bright red, yellow flesh flecked and mottled with red, and a dark brown stone.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In the course of the maintenance of a nectarine orchard on my ranchlocated near Reedley, Fresno County, Calif., I frequent such orchard forthe purpose of inspection, cultivation, and irrigation, and -- duringthe course of such activities -- I am aware of the condition of thetrees and recognize any other-than-normal growth characteristics ofthem. It was under such conditions that the present variety of nectarinetree was discovered by me.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of nectarine tree is embraced byClass 41, Plants, of the United States Patent Office Manual ofClassification.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among existing varieties of nectarine trees which are known to me, andmentioned herein, is the Fantasia (unpatented).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree was discovered by me, in anorchard on my ranch located as aforesaid, as a full scaffold limb on amature tree of the Fantasia variety. Upon close and continuedobservation of such scaffold limb, I confirmed my initial realizationthat it had certain novel and distinctive crop characteristics incomparison with the remainder of the host tree. I, therefore, determinedto effect asexual reproduction of the variety as represented by suchfull scaffold limb.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree was asexually reproduced, bygrafting on compatible rootstock, on my ranch located as aforesaid; suchreproductions having been successful, and, in maturity, ran true in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree is -- characteristically -- mediumin size, vigorous, and upright-spreading; foliated with medium size,lanceolate leaves having a crenate to finely serrate margin, a mediumlength petiole, and medium size, reniform, alternate glands positionedon base of the leaf blade; flowers from hardy, pointed, medium size budsfree from the stem and moderately pubescent; the flowers, blooming inmedium season, being large, showy, and pink; and is a regular andproductive bearer of late in mid-season, uniform, large, broadly ovoid,freestone fruit having yellow skin substantially entirely blushed with awaxy bright red, yellow flesh flecked and mottled with red, and a darkbrown stone.

The present variety of nectarine tree -- while generally similar to theFantasia in tree characteristics, regular bearing habit, and large fruitsize -- is particularly distinctive, in comparison, by fruit in harvestapproximately two weeks later, by fruit which possesses a moreattractive, waxy, bright red blush color, and by fruit of superiorfirmness of flesh and toughness of skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of separate fruit of the variety, together with a fragmentary view ofleaves; one fruit being halved to expose the flesh and with the stoneremaining in one half.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree-- with color definitions (except those in common color terms)referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color (1950 edition) -- areas follows:

Tree:

Size.--Medium.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Upright-spreading.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth to medium.

Color.--Gray (7-C-8).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--Current season's shoots: Light green (19-J-5) with some areastinged red where exposed to sunlight. Young wood: Brownish (8-C-11).Mature wood: Brownish gray (8-A-9).

Lenticels.--Average number and size.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 14.5 cm. Average width -- 3.7 cm.

Form.--Lanceolate. Apex -- acuminate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Moderately smooth.

Color.--Top Side -- Medium green (23-L-8). Under Side -- Lighter green(21-J-7).

Margin.--Crenate to finely serrate. Slightly wavy.

Petiole.--Medium length (average 8-10 mm.). Medium thickness. Lightgreen (20-I-6).

Glands.--Medium size. Reniform. Number -- 2-4 (variable). Commonlyalternate in position at base of leaf blade. Light green to yellow --green on young foliage.

Stipules.--Medium size. Narrow. Early deciduous.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy for California conditions.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Pointed. Free from stem.

Pubescence.--Moderate.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Feb. 23, 1981. Date of fullbloom: Mar. 7, 1981. Medium, as compared with other varieties. Nearlyidentical with Fantasia.

Size.--Large. Showy. Normally 1-2 per node. 43-48 mm. in diameter whenfully open. Average petal length -- 22.4 mm. Average petal width -- 19.1mm. Petal edges slightly irregular and usually somewhat wavy.

Color.--Light pink (49-B-3) -- slightly lighter along outer edge ofpetals.

Stamens.--Average number -- 40. Average length -- 11-14 mm.

Calyx lobes.--6-7 mm. long. 5-6 mm. wide.

Anthers.--Yellow, edged in red.

Nectarines.--Greenish orange -- variable.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm commercial maturity -- Aug. 1, 1980.

Date of first picking.--July 27, 1980.

Date of last picking.--Aug. 10, 1980.

Size.--Uniform. Large. Average cheek diameter -- 72.0 mm. Average suturediameter -- 67.0 mm. Average axial length -- 72.7 mm.

Form.--Uniform. Nearly symmetrical in ventral suture aspect. Broadlyovoid.

Suture.--Ventral suture a broad relatively deep distinct line extendingfrom base to apex, discontinuous at apex, but then a broad shallowdepression from apex to base throughout dorsal suture.

Ventral surface.--Rounded. Moderately lipped throughout length of sutureon both sides.

Lips.--Variable. Most commonly slightly unequal.

Stem cavity.--Axial aspect rounded to very slightly elongated in sutureplane. Average length -- 16.0 mm. Average width -- 13.0 mm. Conic.Average depth -- 11.5 mm.

Stem.--Medium length -- (average -- 11.8 mm.).

Base.--Rounded to occasionally oblique to either edge.

Apex.--Short. Slight tip.

Pistil point.--Variable, but usually oblique.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thick.

Texture.--Moderately tough.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh at commercial maturity.

Tendency to crack.--None observed.

Color.--Ground color -- Yellow. Blush color -- Orange-red (3-L-10) toGarnet red (6-L-5).

Pubescence.--Wanting.

Flesh:

Color.--Yellow (10-J-7) mottled with red. Surface of pit cavity: Red,with pink to red fibers.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice.--Moderate.

Texture.--Firm. Crisp.

Fibers.--Few. Tender.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Mild. Well balanced.

Aroma.--Distinct. Mild.

Eating quality.--Good.

Stone:

Type.--Free. Occasionally adheres to flesh at base of ventral suture.Fibers -- moderately long. Parts from flesh smoothly.

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 38.8 mm. Average breadth -- 26.5 mm.Average thickness -- 19.9 mm.

Form.--Roughly obovoid. Somewhat irregular in lateral aspect, withdorsal ridge moderately recurved near apex.

Base.--Very slightly oblique to ventral edge.

Hilum.--Oval.

Apex.--Acuminate. Tip usually quite sharp, but occasionally truncated.

Sides.--Slightly unequal, at times curved either right or left, ornearly straight.

Surface.--Lateral channels deep near apex. Irregularly furrowed alongboth dorsal and ventral edges. Pitted from base to slightly belowcenter.

Ridges.--Jagged throughout.

Pits.--Circular to elongated (variable in shape).

Ventral edge.--Moderately thick. Eroded throughout, with low wingsconverging apically.

Dorsal edge.--Full, with deep, broad groove extending from base to wellabove center. Heavily eroded near apex.

Color.--Dark brown (7-E-10) with reddish stain (7-J-2) on base and lowerdorsal and ventral suture.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Use: Fresh shipping.

Keeping quality: Average.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No particular susceptibilitiesobserved.

Shipping quality: Good.

The nectarine tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slightdetail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety maybe grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, particularly characterized in comparisonwith the Fantasia by fruit in harvest approximately two weeks later, byfruit having a more attractive, waxy, bright red blush color, and byfruit of superior firmness of flesh and toughness of skin.